Low-loaders granted without publication
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Established low-loader ciperators in the Sheffield area have objected to a nominal increase-in-weight application in order to bring to light the fact that over the last few years a number of these specialized vehicles have been granted in Chambers by the Yorkshire LA. The inquiry concluded last week with the deputy LA, Mr. M. Gosnay, stating that the applications should have been published and that he had already taken the matter up with his office, (CM Oct. 18.) The Brent Group of Companies was refused permission to add another lowloader trailer but was granted an increase in weight for three other vehicles authorized on the A licence it holds in Yorkshire.
At the first day of the inquiry (CM May 17) it was revealed that switches from tippers to three low-loaders had been authorized in Chambers in July 1967. Figures showed that non-low-loader work had dropped from £26,300 in 1967 to £11,500 in 1968, but that low-loader work had almost doubled in the same period.
Mr. J. M. Silbermann, Brent managing director, said he had a duty to his company which had caused him to take advantage of the offer from the LA's office to grant the low4oaders without publication. However, the situation where such a change could be sanctioned without publication was a perturbing one generally, and could have severely prejudiced the objectors. The Brent Group had very good relations with Pickfords Ltd.; were this not so, the company could have captured a substantial amount of the objectors' traffic. All parties were concerned to prevent such an occurrence.
After the hearing Mr. L Matthews of Henry Matthews and Son (Transport) Ltd., another of the objectors, said that licences for a low-loader which had been operating since 1966 in Sheffield and two in the Barnsley area, had been similarly granted. Other operators would have to wait for licence renewals before objections could be lodged.